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znModeratorI figure it’s Barnes. This is his 5th year. IMO the experience will count for more, and Rhaney can wait and develop. (Btw Barnes was a Spags find so that now makes 8 players from those years who are either starters, on contract extensions, key role players, and/or the object of a major trade: JL, RQ, CL, Sims, Barnes, Saffold, Kendricks, Reynolds, and Bradford)
September 5, 2015 at 9:35 pm in reply to: Getting to the 53 man roster…. more cuts listed 9/5 #29940znModeratorRams cuts to get to the 53-man roster are announced
Jim Thomas
The Rams finals cuts to get to the 53-man roster have been announced
New additions include quarterback Austin Davis, tackle Isaiah Battle, tight end Justice Cunningham, defensive tackle Marcus Forston, linebacker Marshall McFadden, cornerback Brandon McGee, safety Christian Bryant, wide receiver Daniel Rodriguez and defensive tackle Louis Trinca-Pasat.
The team also terminated the contract of linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar, an eighth-year pro who joined the Rams in 2012 and made 36 starts over the last three seasons. In addition, running back Trey Watts was placed on the reserved/suspended list and does not count against the 53-man roster; he’s sitting out the first four games of the regular season for violating the league’s policy on substance abuse.
Davis, who lost out to rookie and third-round draft pick Sean Mannion, started eight games and led the Rams to a pair of wins a year ago.
The team selected Battle, a 6-foot-7, 290-pounder from Clemson in the supplemental draft, surrendering a fifth-round pick in 2016.
Cunningham spent most of the last two seasons on the Rams’ practice squad. He saw action in one game in 2014.
Forston, a Miami native who played for the U., was signed during training camp. He had been out of football for nearly a year.
McFadden, who’d previously played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders, played in five games with the Rams a year ago.
McGee, a fifth-round pick in 2013, played in 15 games as a rookie but was limited to two last year before spending the rest of the season on injured reserve with a foot injury. That lingering foot injury limited him to just one practice in training camp.
Bryant, from Ohio State, spent last year on the practice squad after being selected by the Rams in the seventh round of the 2014 draft.
Signed after a tryout, Rodriguez walked on at Clemson after serving in the Army and earning a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his heroism the Battle of Kamdesh in Afghanistan in October 2009. He served mainly as a kick returning in the preseason.
Trinca-Pasat, signed as a rookie free against out of Iowa, played well in the preseason, tying for the team lead in tackles, but was unable to find a spot on the team’s strongest positional unit.
Also cut Saturday were TE Alex Bayer, WR Emory Blake, RB Malcolm Brown, CB Montell Garner, S Jacob Hagen, DE Martin Ifedi, C Barrett Jones, FB Zach Laskey, DE Matt Longacre, CB Trovon Reed and G Brandon Washington.
After a stellar career at Alabama, Jones was the Rams fourth-round draft choice in 2013. He joined the team with a seriously injured foot and never was able to capture the on-field success he enjoyed with the Crimson Tide. In two seasons here, he played in just 10 games and came up short in a three-man battle Mizzou product Tim Barnes and second-year pro Demetrius Rhaney for the center spot in training camp this year.
Ifedi, from the University of Memphis, was a seventh-round draft choice in May.
Bayer was signed as an undrafted free agent a year ago and played six games on special teams a year ago. The son of longtime NFL QB Jeff Blake, Emory Blake spent most of the last two seasons on the Rams’ practice squad.
Brown, Garner, Laskey, Hagen, Laskey and Longacre (Northwest Missouri) were signed as free agents shortly after the draft in May. Reed, an Auburn product, joined the team during camp while Washington, played in just one game since joining the Rams in 2012.
— EARLIER STORY —
The Rams submitted their 53-man roster to the NFL offices by the 3 p.m. deadline on Saturday. But in a press conference an hour later at Rams Park, head coach Jeff Fisher said the final cuts would not be released publicly until this evening, citing “competitive reasons.”
“Well it’s been a challenging couple of days,” Fisher said. “We’re getting closer to the final roster. Really not going to confirm anything at this point for competitive reasons with respect to the practice squad. We’re close. There’s some pending moves out there, but we’ll get the information to you as far as the final cut downs are concerned as soon as we release it to the league and it gets out.”
Fisher stressed that this would be the first 53-man roster but maybe not the final one.
“As we speak right now, we’ve gone to 53 (players) with the potential for a move here and there,” he said. “We’re probably more concerned about our 46 (players) going into the game and then getting our practice squad players back because we have a good group. We potentially have an excellent group of practice squad players.”
He continued: “I think there are potentially, competitively, maybe a difference in three or four hours as far as…from a competitive standpoint where clubs have a chance to go out and look at your players that you released. So that’s kind of where we’re at. You’ll get the information, but we want to buy as much time as we possibly can.”
Fisher also said that rookie running back Todd Gurley, the 10th overall pick in the draft, would not play in the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 13 and that he would announce his starting center after Wednesday’s practice at Rams Park.
The Post-Dispatch has reported the following cuts Friday and Saturday: RBs Malcolm Brown and Zach Laskey, WR Emory Blake, TE Alex Bayer; C Barrett Jones; OG Brandon Washington; DEs Martin Ifedi and Matt Longacre; LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar; CBs Montell Garner and Trovon Reed; and S Jacob Hagen.
In addition, RB Trey Watts begins his four-game suspension and does not count on the 53-man roster.
September 5, 2015 at 9:13 pm in reply to: September 10 – At 12:00 a.m., New York time, the Top 51 Rule expires #29938znModeratorx
September 5, 2015 at 8:45 pm in reply to: Getting to the 53 man roster…. more cuts listed 9/5 #29934znModeratorSt. Louis Rams cut 21 players, including Barrett Jones
Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra…s-rams-cut-21-players-including-barrett-jones
Most significant move: For most of the offseason and preseason, Barrett Jones looked poised to finally take the reins and become the St. Louis Rams’ starting center. He was given the opportunity to compete with Tim Barnes and Demetrius Rhaney, rotating with them throughout. Now, Jones is out of a job. The irony in it all is that one of the primary reasons Jones wasn’t kept was because of a lack of positional versatility, which was one of his hallmarks coming out of Alabama. But it never really translated in St. Louis as Jones struggled to move defenders in the run game and doesn’t possess Rhaney’s athleticism to get to the second level in the team’s zone blocking schemes. The Rams have been slow to let go of draft picks in the past but Jones had two injury-plagued seasons and a full offseason to get up to speed to make the starting job his own. Because he didn’t he’s now in need of a new one.
Final Roster Cuts
A surprise at linebacker: After signing veteran linebacker Akeem Ayers in March, the Rams looked like they finally had positioned themselves to have some veteran depth at linebacker. Jo-Lonn Dunbar, who had been a starter on the strong side figured to at worst become the primary backup at all three linebacker spots. Instead, Dunbar is gone and the Rams are light on depth once again at the position. Instead, the Rams opted to keep special teams leader Daren Bates, undrafted rookie Cameron Lynch and seventh-round pick Bryce Hager behind James Laurinaitis, Ayers and Alec Ogletree. The Rams do have safety Mark Barron, who can play a hybrid role as a linebacker but there’s not much depth here once again.
Loading up on O-linemen but with a twist: It was expected that the Rams would keep 10 offensive linemen and they did. But it’s not the ones many thought. Aside from Jones and Dunbar, the other name on the team’s list of cuts that might qualify as a surprise is rookie tackle Isaiah Battle. From the moment the team used a fifth-round pick in next year’s draft to add Battle in the supplemental draft this year, the Rams said that he would be a work in progress. It was clear from the preseason that Battle has a long way to go before he can contribute. That the Rams opted to keep undrafted rookie Darrell Williams instead of Battle is a testament to just how far off Battle is from being able to play. Now, the Rams will roll the dice that they can get him through to the practice squad. If they lose him, it will be the second pick they’ve surrendered in next year’s draft, along with the seventh-round choice they sent to Houston for quarterback Case Keenum.
What’s next: The Rams will have a walk-through Sunday and will have Monday off before beginning their practice week with a light workout Tuesday. They open the season at home against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 13.
Rams cuts: QB Austin Davis, TE Alex Bayer, OT Isaiah Battle, TE Justice Cunningham, WR Emory Blake, WR Daniel Rodriguez, RB Malcolm Brown, S Christian Bryant, DT Marcus Forston, CB Montell Garner, S Jacob Hagen, DE Martin Ifedi, RB Zach Laskey, DE Matt Longacre, OL Barrett Jones, LB Marshall McFadden, CB Brandon McGee, CB Trovon Reed, DT Louis Trinca-Pasat, G Brandon Washington. RB Trey Watts was placed on the reserve/suspended list. LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar’s contract was terminated.
September 5, 2015 at 8:18 pm in reply to: Getting to the 53 man roster…. more cuts listed 9/5 #29929znModeratorYeah, I am not sure either. I would have kept Battle. Let’s see who gets on the practice squad.
Fisher said other moves were afoot. Maybe they trade one of the receivers.
September 5, 2015 at 7:56 pm in reply to: Getting to the 53 man roster…. more cuts listed 9/5 #29924znModeratorThat sucks for Trinca-Pasat but there’s just no room. Not sure why they kept 6 wide receivers. They must really like all of them.
He and Battle are clearly PS guys. If others don’t pick them up first.
znModeratorbut this oline seems to be total shit…
I don’t agree. It’s not t.s. … IMO it’s raw and will have its moments. The upside promises a line that is not only solid, but 2 deep at back-up tackle, which is just plain rare.
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September 5, 2015 at 4:20 pm in reply to: post-KC game reactions …. Rams and Saints only 0-4 teams in pre-season #29887znModeratorfrom off the net
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alyoshamucci]
Coming into this I was really confused with what the boys were going to do, and while I feel good about what I would do, I don;t know how they feel about what THEY are going to do.
NOTE: I AM DOING THIS BEFORE CUTS. I know they’re going on right now, but I’m not looking.
I was pretty happy with a few things … not so happy about others.
1) I think Barrett Jones claimed the job. I think I can see what his big issue is now, because I was not sure given the previous sample size. I think his issue is getting himself set after the snap. He got bulldozed again this game … but while before I thought it was strength, it doesn’t seem to be that now. I think if he’s late off the snap or the DT is early he gets beat. He can learn how to recover there IMO. When Wells got beat like that he wouldn’t even be out of his stance. Also, BJ’s screen game is the best of the OCs.
2) Tavon seems to be seeing the field better. With a guy with his speed, any hesitation is what costs you the big play. Even if they know it’s coming they have a hard time with it.
3) G Rob is much better in Pass Protection … his weak link actually seems to be in the running game.
4) Battle showed a LOT of improvement in 4 games.
5) Pead ran hard. Givens played fast. Both could be traded IMO .. or kept … just glad they are playing like professionals.
6) Trinca Pasat played a LOT of snaps at full speed. Excited to see him with his role limited.
7) Westbrooks finally made some noise inside. I knew he could do it, but watching him throw an OG was satisfying.
8) Mo was playing faster, and Roberson had a couple good breakups.
Side note: Chris Conley is a superior athlete.
9) Regardless of what else happens on the line, Harkey can really block.
10) The LBs were moving faster as a unit.
11) That late WR kid, #15? He can play. Hope he makes the PS.
12) Still like Wichmann.
The Bad
13) Guys who are trying to make a team that don’t wrap up. What?
14) Forston ran out of moves. PS?
15) Ifedi underwhelmed all PS.
16) Mannion … dude you gotta pull the trigger faster or your WRs are gonna get killed. And Sean, that’s a really ugly deep ball. If it wasn’t for his draft status this game might have gotten him cut.
17) Cookie you cannot tip that ball up in the air.
18) Roberson, calm yourself when there’s tipped ball, it’s a gimme dude.
The Ugly
19) Brandon Washington hurts to watch. Every play he was involved in was like having a loose angry bull on the field .. slow, then randomly running into people and on the ground. Honestly … he could be blind.
September 5, 2015 at 4:18 pm in reply to: Getting to the 53 man roster…. more cuts listed 9/5 #29886znModeratorJim Thomas @jthom1
Former Rams WR Austin Pettis among San Diego Chargers cuts.Jim Thomas @jthom1
Rams release TE Alex Bayer. That leaves 4 TEs: Cook, Kendricks, Harkey, Cunningham. But will Cunningham make final 53?September 5, 2015 at 3:55 pm in reply to: Getting to the 53 man roster…. more cuts listed 9/5 #29885znModeratorRams get backfield in order with roster cuts
Jim Thomas
With the release of running backs Malcolm Brown of Texas, and Zach Laskey of Georgia Tech, it looks like the Rams backfield is settled. At least as settled as it can be with Todd Gurley still completing rehab from a knee injury and Tre Mason nursing a hamstring injury.
Brown and Laskey joined the team as undrafted rookies in the spring, and Brown had some good moments in the preseason, rushing for 69 yards on 17 carries, for a 4.1 average, and catching nine passes for 127 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown catch and run against Tennessee. The nine catches tied for the team lead during exhibition play. Laskey, who the Rams listed as a fullback, did not carry from scrimmage during the preseason and had one catch for nine yards.
In addition, running back Trey Watts now begins his four-game suspension for violating NFL policy on substance abuse. Watts led the Rams in rushing this preseason, with 98 yards on 24 carries and a touchdown. He also caught eight passes for 58 yards.
With those moves, which don’t become official until later this afternoon, the Rams are left with Gurley, Mason, Benny Cunningham, Isaiah Pead, and Chase Reynolds.
Other Rams roster cuts, according to various league sources: TE Alex Bayer; CBs Montell Garner and Trovon Reed; S Jacob Hagen; WR Emory Blake; OG Brandon Washington; and DEs Matt Longacre and Martin Ifedi.
September 5, 2015 at 3:22 pm in reply to: Getting to the 53 man roster…. more cuts listed 9/5 #29883znModeratorfrom off the net
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Centurion
If correct about Reed and Garner, the Rams would be down to just 5 CBs and that would include the always-injured Brandon McGee.
If McGee is cut or IR’d, could see them going into the season with four CBs and six Ss. That would be unusual but it could happen.
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DP57
They’re going with 6 WRs instead of an extra running back for week 1 with Mason out? Interesting…
With Malcolm Brown cut that tells me that Pead and Reynolds probably made the team… for week 1 at least.
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September 5, 2015 at 3:17 pm in reply to: Getting to the 53 man roster…. more cuts listed 9/5 #29881znModeratorJim Thomas @jthom1
Rams release WR Emory Blake. Have been told that WR Bradley Marquez has made 53-man roster. Nothing’s official till 3 p.m., so we’ll see.If they kept Marquez I can only assume they’re keeping 6 receivers.
Jim Thomas @jthom1
Former Rams RB Daryl Richardson released by NY Jets.Jim Thomas @jthom1
More roster cuts for Rams, per league sources: S Jacob Hagen, CB Montell Garner, RBs Malcolm Brown and Zach Laskey.Jim Thomas @jthom1
Eagles have only 2 QBs w/release of Tim Tebow. Would they trade for Rams Austin Davis, who threw for 375 yards, 3 TDs against them in ’14?September 5, 2015 at 3:10 pm in reply to: Getting to the 53 man roster…. more cuts listed 9/5 #29879znModeratorNick Wagoner @nwagoner
Could #Rams find a taker for QB Austin Davis? Teams like ATL and PHI have just two QBs. Think they might try to recoup 7 traded for Keenum.Adam Caplan @caplannfl
#49ers announced: Released S Craig Dahl, G Joe Looney, LB Phillip Wheeler, DT Darnell Dockett.Rob Demovsky @RobDemovsky
From @ESPNStatsInfo: #Packers attempted the most 2-point conversions (6) this preseason. Browns, Seahawks Rams only teams not to go for 2.September 5, 2015 at 2:58 pm in reply to: Getting to the 53 man roster…. more cuts listed 9/5 #29877znModeratorfrom off the net
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The Professor
Rotoworld says Brown, Garner, Laskey, Hagen cut (nm)
znModeratorSeptember 5, 2015 at 2:24 pm in reply to: post-KC game reactions …. Rams and Saints only 0-4 teams in pre-season #29872znModeratorzn jinxed him.
Yeah? Well watch what you say or I will have to jinx YOU.
Wait. Dammit.
I think I just jinxed my ability to do that.
September 5, 2015 at 2:22 pm in reply to: post-KC game reactions …. Rams and Saints only 0-4 teams in pre-season #29870znModeratorfrom off the net
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Rams43
Finally got to watch the Chiefs game…
I watched the OL play with particular attention. I believe that it is clearly the area with the most unknowns. I mean, I rewound each play multiple times to watch each OL player of interest.
Here’s what I came away with…
Once again, all 3 C candidates played “okay”. Of the 3, I thought Jones played best. He had one bad snap but otherwise looked pretty good. Rhaney was most athletic and might one day become a helluva starting OG.
Wichmann has a future in this league but failed to blow me away in this particular game. He does look like promising depth and a possible future starter to me.
Know which OL did impress me? Wait for it… Garrett Reynolds and Battle. I would go so far as to say Reynolds was our most effective OL player that night, both at LG and RT. very effective, indeed.
Battle exceeded my expectations, frankly. Never missed an assignment. Heck, he neutralized his man all night long. He looked like a 1st round pick and has the look of a future starter written all over him. GRob and Hav better stay on their toes because by mid season I predict that Battle will be capable of giving each a good run for his money. Brilliant value pick for a ’16 fifth rounder. Snead should be arrested for grand theft.
Cody Davis did some good things, but I saw him miss at least 2 tackles. Puzzling for such a good ST player, don’t you think?
Hope Bradley Marquez can make it to the PS.
Ditto Malcolm Brown.
Mannion definitely took a step backwards in this game. But, hey, he IS a rookie.
Hager seems to be EVERYWHERE. Looks like a nice 7th round value. Maybe even close to a steal there.
I think our OL is gonna exceed expectations. Expectations are admittedly not high, but still… By games 5-6, I think our OL might be downright beastly, actually.
We now look like a team that can and will run effective screens. THAT might slow down opponents edge rush, huh? And Foles is considered a fine play action QB, too.
We’ve got some real hitters in our secondary these days. Hope Bryant can join them.
If Givens hadn’t stepped up so much, I think Marquez was the favorite to replace him on the 53. Too bad for Marquez that Mannion had such a bad night.
September 5, 2015 at 12:38 am in reply to: post-KC game reactions …. Rams and Saints only 0-4 teams in pre-season #29857znModeratorTake a close look at the last part of the tavon run.
Isn’t it a bit odd that the two chief defenders
were able to catch up to tavon?
Didnt look like they had the angle,
but they caught him.w
vI think if you look at the play—which is here: http://theramshuddle.com/topic/foles-to-austin-43-yards-eventually-other-highlights/ — those defenders gain an angle on him because they are running ahead of his path, closing to the sideline, while he is back in traffic slowing for a sec to clear defenders. Those Chiefs defenders cut off his beeline because they did have the angle to arrive where he is going to be, not because they caught him from behind.
I am not sure I described that well, but it’s in the vid if you strategically pause it.
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This reply was modified 10 years, 8 months ago by
zn.
znModeratorThe poor are taking my taxes just so they can sit back and relax, not having to work all day. Meanwhile, I’m busting my ass!
That’s why we hate the poor.
I see all types of attacks on “freeloaders” — you know, welfare recipients.
The most interesting thing to me about those types of statements is that they often come from someone who I know has received or is receiving government assistance, or at the very least some type of handouts (hand-ups?) from a charitable organization. They’re people who work, so you know, why should they pay any type of tax to support those freeloaders. They’re always ready to share a story about a welfare cheat or fraud. Or, worry about immigrants getting help from “my” tax dollars.
It’s small-minded thinking, as you know. I think, at the same time, these same people do want significant change that allows more opportunities — mainly out of selfishness. I mean, yeah, it’s always out of selfishness. Why else would you support a public policy? To help them? What about me and my tribe? How can a policy help me when it’s helping them, the Freeloaders, the Outsiders?
This mentality is played like a harp by the establishment.
How Trump Exposed the Tea PartyThe proof is in: the GOP base isn’t small-government libertarian; it’s old-fashioned populist.
By Michael Lindhttp://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/09/trump-tea-party-populist-exposed-213111#ixzz3koAanAKy
ere are some of the things that have been said by the guy who has galvanized the GOP’s Tea Party base and taken the lead in the Republican presidential race:
“Every Republican wants to do a big number on Social Security, they want to do it on Medicare, they want to do it on Medicaid. And we can’t do that.”
“As far as single payer [health care], it works in Canada, it works incredibly well in Scotland. … You can’t let the people in this country, the people without the money and resources, to go without healthcare.”
“People as they make more and more money can pay a higher percentage” of taxes.
Only one of two conclusions can be drawn here. Either the Tea Party base—which the media would have us think mainly consists of angry libertarians inveighing against taxes and runaway big government—hasn’t really been listening to Donald Trump, who made all the above statements, or, alternatively, most of the media have read the Tea Party and its true aims and ambitions entirely wrong.
I suggest the latter is the correct answer. The success of Trump’s campaign has, if nothing else, exposed the Tea Party for what it really is; Trump’s popularity is, in effect, final proof of what some of us have been arguing for years: that the Tea Party is less a libertarian movement than a right-wing version of populism. Think William Jennings Bryan or Huey Long, not Ayn Rand. Tea Partiers are less upset about the size of government overall than they are that so much of it is going to other people, especially immigrants and nonwhites. They are for government for them and against government for Not-Them.
This is what explains a lot of what’s going on now. After all, according to the commentariat, the Summer of Trump was supposed to have been the Summer of Rand Paul. It seems like only yesterday that the media were interpreting the rise of the Tea Party as a triumph of anti-statism and predicting that Paul, with his libertarian views on national security and data privacy, represented the future of the American right.
But Paul has all but disappeared from view, polling in the low single digits, while Trump has soared into the lead, and nothing he says, no matter how outrageous, seems to sour the right-wing base on him. Trump is no libertarian; quite the opposite. He is a classic populist of the right who peddles suspicion of foreigners—it’s no accident that he was the country’s leading “birther” raising questions about Barack Obama’s citizenship—combined with a kind of “producerism.” In populist ideology, society is divided not among rich and poor but among producers and parasites.
Populists are suspicious of unearned wealth, including the interest charged by bankers who manipulate “other people’s money” (to use the phrase of Louis Brandeis). And populists the world over are hostile to the idle or undeserving poor who allegedly live on welfare at the expense of productive workers and capitalists. Populists tend to attribute the existence of large numbers of the idle rich and the idle poor to government corruption. In the words of the 1892 People’s Party platform: “From the same prolific womb of governmental injustice we breed the two great classes—tramps and millionaires.”
To anyone paying attention, it should have been clear from the 2010 elections onward that Tea Party voters were at odds with the libertarians in the Republican donor class and Beltway think tanks. Further confirmation came when David Brat, an obscure college professor, defeated Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in a 2014 Republican primary in a shocking upset. Cantor was punished for supporting more legal immigration and amnesty for illegal immigrants, something favored by Republican elites but opposed by conservative voters. Of immigration, Brat told Fox News: “It’s the most symbolic issue that captures the differences between me and Eric Cantor.”
The hostility of the Republican right to illegal immigration is usually attributed by establishment pundits to pure racism, no doubt correctly in many cases. After all, according to traditional free-market libertarianism, open borders are good (“There shall be open borders,” was the mantra of the late Robert Bartley of the Wall Street Journal, summarizing the credo of the free-market right). But in the moral universe of populists, illegal immigrants of any race are classic “parasites” preying on hard-working producers. To begin with, they are all cheaters by definition, violating U.S. immigration laws, unlike legal immigrants who obey the law and wait in line for limited quotas. In addition, according to recent data, 51 percent of immigrant households receive some kind of welfare, compared with 30 percent for native-led households. Reflecting differences in education and income, welfare use is much higher for immigrants from Latin America than from South Asia, East Asia and Europe. Inasmuch as the populist right in the U.K. is galvanized in part by opposition to “Polish plumbers,” it is a mistake to attribute the opposition of populists solely to racism. Populist fears that the country is becoming a welfare magnet for the foreign-born poor also play a part.
Trump has catered to these fears while alienating the Republican establishment by delivering xenophobic putdowns of Mexicans and saying he wants to build a wall along the Mexican border: “I want it to be so beautiful because some day they’re going to call it the Trump wall.” When it comes to trade, Trump is an economic nationalist who has called for tariffs on imports from China and Mexico.
In domestic policy, Trump’s rejection of orthodox conservatism is just as dramatic. The establishment right supports cuts in Social Security and the voucherization of Medicare; Trump does not. No apostasy on Trump’s part is more unforgiveable to the conservative elite than his heresy on taxes. Conservative orthodoxy holds that the rich—no matter how they make their money—are by definition “wealth creators” and “job creators” and that the best way to grow the economy is to lower their taxes further. Trump, however, favors progressive taxation and despises “paper-pushers” on Wall Street: “The hedge fund guys didn’t build this country. These are guys that shift paper around and they get lucky…. But a lot of them—they are paper-pushers. They make a fortune. They pay no tax. It’s ridiculous, ok?”
A Marist poll of April 18, 2011, proves that Trumpist populism was a fully fledged worldview among Tea Party voters years before Donald Trump announced his run for the Republican presidential nomination. In the survey, 81 percent of self-identified Tea Party supporters opposed raising the federal debt ceiling. But majorities of Tea Party supporters also favored reducing the federal debt by raising taxes on those with incomes over $250,000 (53 percent) and opposed cuts to Medicare and Medicaid (70 percent).
***It was the Great Recession that catalyzed the contemporary Tea Party movement. Like Occupy Wall Street activists, but from the right, Tea Party conservatives objected to the federal government’s bailouts of what they perceived as the rich parasites of the financial sector.
The famous on-air rant on February 19, 2009, by Rick Santelli of CNBC that helped to inspire the movement targeted a second group of parasites or moochers or takers—the potential beneficiaries of a proposal to bail out some homeowners threatened with losing their homes because of their inability to pay their mortgages. In classic producerist fashion, Santelli denounced the unfairness of bailing out “losers” while other hard-working Americans had to struggle to make their mortgage payments:
Government is promoting bad behavior. … Do we really want to subsidize the losers’ mortgages? This is America? How many of you people want to pay for your neighbor’s mortgage? President Obama, are you listening? How about we all stop paying our mortgages? It’s moral hazard.
A further clue to the values of the Tea Party right was provided by Representative Rob Inglis (R-S.C.), who was reportedly told by a constituent, “Keep your government hands off my Medicare.” This was widely interpreted by snobbish progressives to indicate that Tea Partiers are too stupid to understand that Medicare is a government benefit. But in fact Tea Party populists are being consistent, if selfish, in favoring universal, earned benefits that benefit people like them, while opposing means-tested welfare, which they suspect is encouraging laziness among the “idle poor.”
Trump’s establishment rivals, like Jeb Bush, accuse him of not being a true conservative. That is true, if conservatism is defined by the beliefs of the Republican Party’s elite donors and the think tank experts whom they subsidize. But if conservatism is defined by what the voters who make up the conservative base actually believe, then it is the deviations of the GOP establishment from right-wing populist orthodoxy that must be explained.
For years the Republican elite has gotten away with promoting policies about trade and entitlements that are the exact opposites of the policies favored by much of their electoral base. Populist conservatives who want to end illegal immigration, tax the rich, protect Social Security and Medicare, and fight fewer foreign wars have been there all along. It’s just that mainstream pundits and journalists, searching for a libertarian right more to their liking (and comprehension), refused to see them before the Summer of Trump.
September 4, 2015 at 5:12 pm in reply to: post-KC game reactions …. Rams and Saints only 0-4 teams in pre-season #29842znModeratorfrom off the net
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aeneas1
rhaney:
against the chiefs rhaney started at right guard and then took over at center, here he is making another great screen block from the center position, i really don’t know how the rams can keep this guy on the bench once the season starts…
and here he is, again from the center position, making a great second level block on the ilb that springs pead for a nice gainer:
grob:
robinson had a solid outing against kc, so did have for that matter… here’s grob saying hello to the chiefs 2014 first round pick, olb ford, clearly grob needs to work on his strength… 😯
here’s grob flattening the defender on a run to the opposite side:
and grob tossing his guy to the ground in pass pro:
other:
solid pass pro for foles on the pick, c’mon cook!
another angle:
pead making a great block on tavon’s scamper:
pead’s touchdown run, so much went down on this play…
1. cook, as usual, with a poor run block effort, pretty much just let his guy go by… but the funny thing is he inadvertently made a huge block that very well may have allowed pead to score. when he let his guy go by he pretty much just stood around, and turned back to watch the play unfold, then when a chief conveniently got within range, cooked knocked him to the ground, it was pretty funny, almost like cook thought the play was over but wanted to get a shot in… anyway i’ve highlighted it in the gifs below but they really don’t capture it as well as the actual footage, too many discarded frames…
2. rhaney did a great job on the td run, stood up his guy and held his ground.
3. reyonolds, at left guard, got blown back, launched, he was sent into orbit, not one of his finer moments.
4. barnes made a nice cut block.
5. havenstein had a second level assignment and also attempted a cut block. in fact i noticed the rams were doing a lot of cut blocking, or at least attempting it, last night, which i dig…
znModeratorAndy Reid, Jeremy Maclin praise Rams QB Nick Foles
Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/177731/andy-reid-jeremy-maclin-praise-rams-qb-nick-foles
ST. LOUIS — Even after an entire offseason, training camp and preseason, it’s still hard to know what to expect from St. Louis Rams quarterback Nick Foles in his first year with the team.
But to hear Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid and receiver Jeremy Maclin tell it, the Rams made a wise move bringing Foles in and giving him a two-year contract extension. In town for Thursday’s preseason finale, Reid and Maclin — both of whom spent time with Foles in Philadelphia — were asked about Foles and both players offered high praise for the Rams’ new starting signal-caller.
“You are asking one of Nick Foles’ biggest fans,” Reid said. “He is smart, he has good accuracy, and he is a big body. A big strong guy, and he is young. He is going nowhere but up here. He is surrounded by good coaches and good skill players. I think he will do fine. He has to get back into this system. And it is just a matter of time.”
Of course, the Rams and their fans would prefer that it’s not a matter of too much time as the Rams enter an important year for their future in town. The Rams clearly agree with Reid, having handed Foles a contract extension before he ever plays in a regular-season game for them.
While Reid obviously has ties to Foles that would indicate a bias, he also coached Foles before he stepped into current Eagles coach Chip Kelly’s system. Reid runs a West Coast passing attack similar to what the Rams will ask of Foles so he should have at least some idea of how Foles’ skills translate to what the Rams want him to do.
Foles played in seven games with six starts for Reid in 2012 after the Eagles used a third-round pick on him that year. Foles only won one of those starts and threw for 1,699 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions for a rating of 79.1, but he earned the respect of Maclin and Reid in the process.
“I feel for starters, people can expect him to go out there and compete every single day,” Maclin said. “That’s the type of person Nick is. He’s also a guy that, as far as talent, can make every throw on the football field. I’ve kind of heard the Rams guys saying ‘In 5 we trust’ and all that other stuff so that just goes to show you the type of respect people give him based off of the type of person he is and the type of player he is.”
Foles and Maclin didn’t have many chances to play together because of Maclin’s season-ending knee injury before the 2013 season, but even on the bench, Maclin said he could see why teammates were drawn to Foles.
Maclin pointed to a Week 3 win against Washington in 2014 as an example. In that game, Maclin said Foles took a borderline late hit as he threw a pass that was intercepted but overturned by replay. Foles bounced back and drove the Eagles to a 27-yard touchdown toss to Maclin that helped seal the victory.
“It’s just that type of will that he has that people just respect,” Maclin said. “He was banged up after that, but it did not affect the way he finished the game.
“[He’s] always positive. If anything goes bad, he’s the first one to take responsibility for it. For anyone leading the team, that’s kind of what you want.”
September 4, 2015 at 2:30 pm in reply to: Getting to the 53 man roster…. more cuts listed 9/5 #29825znModeratorFinal Roster Projections
Youth and uncertainty force Rams to go heavy on offensive linemen
Nick Wagoner
Here is a final projection of a position-by-position look at who stays and who goes when the St. Louis Rams makes their final cuts.
QUARTERBACK (3): Nick Foles, Case Keenum, Sean Mannion
What once appeared to be a real competition between Keenum and Austin Davis never really materialized as Davis simply didn’t get much of an opportunity in the preseason. Granted, the Rams know what they have in Davis and wanted to get an extended look at Keenum but this one seemed pretty well set from the moment training camp started. Foles is the starter and Mannion will get time to develop.
RUNNING BACK (5): Todd Gurley, Tre Mason, Benny Cunningham, Isaiah Pead, Chase Reynolds
It should be noted that Trey Watts is suspended the first four games of the season, otherwise he’d be here instead of Pead. But for now, Pead gets a stay until Watts comes back. Considering the injury situations with Gurley and Mason, I considered keeping a sixth back. Malcolm Brown is difficult to let go after an impressive preseason but he doesn’t bring the special-teams value the Rams need from an additional back.
WIDE RECEIVER (5): Kenny Britt, Brian Quick, Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, Chris Givens
Entering camp, it appeared Givens might get a run for his money but he was actually the best wideout on the team in the preseason games. He should be safe. Nobody else really stood out to make a run for a potential sixth spot.
TIGHT END (3): Jared Cook, Lance Kendricks, Cory Harkey
The Rams traditionally keep at least one more here and they could keep Justice Cunningham or Alex Bayer for special-teams purposes. Neither did much in the preseason, though, and since the Rams have to keep an extra quarterback this year, this seems like a logical place to keep one less body.
OFFENSIVE LINE (10): Greg Robinson, Rodger Saffold, Jamon Brown, Tim Barnes, Barrett Jones, Rob Havenstein, Demetrius Rhaney, Garrett Reynolds, Andrew Donnal, Isaiah Battle
The Rams spent five picks on the offensive line in the offseason, which means they have a lot of young players they want to develop. Unless they’re willing to cut some of them already, that means they’re going to need to go heavy on the offensive line. This projection actually does remove sixth-round guard Cody Wichmann but a leg injury suffered in the spring prevented him from making much of an impression and he doesn’t offer positional versatility. They should be able to get him through to the practice squad. Battle is a different proposition. He didn’t play well enough to make the roster and another team might not scoop him if he’s available but the Rams surrendered a fifth-round pick next year for him and knew he would take some time to get up to speed. It’s a risk they probably aren’t willing to take. The competition at center is too close to call, though there seems to be some momentum for Barnes as the starter. Instead of making the decision, the team opts to keep all three contenders. Ten is a lot of linemen but the Rams have too much invested from the draft to cut bait on these guys already.
DEFENSIVE LINE (9): Robert Quinn, Chris Long, Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Nick Fairley, William Hayes, Eugene Sims, Ethan Westbrooks, Louis Trinca-Pasat
It seemed like this would be the year that the Rams actually keep only eight defensive linemen because of needs at other positions. Then Trinca-Pasat happened. In fact, defensive tackle Trinca-Pasat and end Matt Longacre both happened. Both players earned positive reviews for their work in the preseason and made a case to make the roster. But Trinca-Pasat ultimately wins out because of his ability to push the pocket and be disruptive on the interior. Theoretically, someone could push Westbrooks for a spot as well but the feeling is that with Hayes and Sims set for free agency after the year, the Rams give him another year to develop and potentially step into an expanded role next year.
LINEBACKER (6): James Laurinaitis, Alec Ogletree, Akeem Ayers, Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Bryce Hager, Daren Bates
Bates’ knee injury might force the Rams to keep an extra player here right away for special teams but otherwise, nobody has really stood out enough to land a job. Korey Toomer would’ve been in the mix if not for a foot injury but otherwise, this one will only change based on how the team feels about Bates’ health.
CORNERBACK (4): Janoris Jenkins, Trumaine Johnson, Lamarcus Joyner, Marcus Roberson
Imoan Claiborne’s release in the initial roster cuts this week was a bit of a surprise, leaving the door open for someone else to claim the spot. But there really isn’t any obvious choice unless the team wants to roll the dice on perpetually injured Brandon McGee. Because they went so heavy on offensive linemen, they will try to get by with four corners for now. In the meantime, they’ll keep their eyes open for veteran options and keep a couple of extra corners on the practice squad.
SAFETY (5): T.J. McDonald, Rodney McLeod, Mark Barron, Maurice Alexander, Cody Davis
Christian Bryant and Jacob Hagen both flashed at times in the exhibition games but there simply doesn’t appear to be enough room for either of them to land a spot on the roster.
SPECIALISTS (3): Johnny Hekker, Greg Zuerlein, Jake McQuaide
No drama here.
September 4, 2015 at 11:41 am in reply to: Getting to the 53 man roster…. more cuts listed 9/5 #29819znModeratorCenter is the only position that affects a starter. imo
I am ready to keep 10 OL and 10 DL.
They are going to be cutting some good players this year, no question.
.
September 4, 2015 at 11:33 am in reply to: Getting to the 53 man roster…. more cuts listed 9/5 #29817znModeratorRams’ lingering position battle nears end
Ben Frederickson
Listeners of the JOX Roundtable, a sports talk radio show on “Birmingham’s Favorite Radio Station,” didn’t get much of an update this week on the St. Louis Rams’ most important position battle.
“I certainly don’t feel that way yet,” Barrett Jones said when asked if he had secured the starting center spot during last Saturday’s preseason loss to the Colts.
“I feel like I had a good, solid start. I did some good things. But, it’s still an open competition, as far as I’ve heard.”
Years from now, the third-year center out of Alabama can see himself in broadcasting. He’s off to a good start, weighing in weekly on the same SEC-obsessed station that used to deliver a daily dose of Paul Finebaum to a rabid Roll-Tide contingent.
Jones’ call-ins are sponsored by a plumbing company. But wait. There’s more.
“I do two of them, actually,” Jones said after Tuesday’s practice. “I’m a weekly guest for 15 minutes.”
“The other one is a local Tuscaloosa show with a guy I know. They’re both good. I have a lot of fun doing them.”
Before he moves behind a microphone full-time, Jones would like to secure the job of snapping the ball to new Rams quarterback Nick Foles. He has company. Entering Thursday’s final preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Rams are still — yes, still — waiting to name a winner between Jones, fourth-year grinder Tim Barnes and second-year center/guard Demetrius Rhaney.
The Rams’ offensive line is a big question mark, and the uncertainty starts in the middle.
“We are getting production out of not only Barrett and Tim, but also out of Demetrius,” Rams coach Jeff Fisher said Tuesday. “And Demetrius and Tim have the flex at guard. And Barrett can potentially play guard, if need be. It’s a good race right now.”
Let’s pause. Not knowing who will stand between Foles and opposing defensive lines is far from good. Ideally, someone would have claimed the spot that was vacated when the team cut veteran Scott Wells in March. But here we are.
The lack of resolution means Jones and Barnes still have a chance. Probably more than Rhaney.
Fisher says Rhaney belongs in this discussion, and you will find him listed as the No. 2 option behind Jones on the current depth chart. But Rhaney has looked more comfortable and more productive at guard. Recent practices point toward this being a two-man race between Jones and Barnes.
The former is an Alabama legend still trying to find solid footing as a pro. You know the story. Jones was a three-time All-American on three national-championship teams. He played three different positions and claimed the Rimington Trophy as a senior center. His incredible college career recently landed him a third-team spot on the Football Writers Association of America’s 75th anniversary All-American team. But since the Rams drafted him in the fourth round in 2013, he’s been slowed by injuries. He’s played just 23 snaps the past two seasons.
“You have to earn everything,” Jones said. “I’ve had a great situation here, though. I’ve had great people around me. I’ve learned a lot from Scott Wells, these past two years, about kind of what it takes to be a center in this league. Injuries did set me back a little bit, but I feel like I’m in a place right now where, I really believe I can play in this league. I feel like I’m playing really good football right now.”
And then there’s Barnes, a Missouri product seldom mentioned in the #MizzouMade promotions pumped out of Columbia, Mo. That might change if the former Tiger, undrafted in 2011, completes the practice-squad-to-starter leap. He’s more experienced, and has four starts under his belt. But those were back in 2013.
“It’s just one of those things where you just stairstep it,” Barnes said Tuesday. “Get on the practice squad, then try to get on the roster. Then be a backup, a solid backup. When you have that opportunity (to start), you have to try to make the best of. It’s what our goal was from the very beginning. Now we are close to seeing if it worked, or not.”
Preseason games can be a snore. If the thought of the I-70 series doesn’t make your toes tingle, focus your attention on an often-overlooked position. The guys snapping the ball on Thursday have plenty to play for. This center competition actually has to end sometime soon.
“You’ve got one more chance in a live situation where guys are going hard,” Barnes said. “It’s a big deal.”
When Jones returns to the Alabama airwaves next week, he should be able to offer a more concrete answer when the discussion turns to his position on the depth chart.[
September 4, 2015 at 11:02 am in reply to: 9/3 Fisher, Foles, Cody Davis, Tavon, Long … vids & transcripts #29813znModeratorRams Head Coach Jeff Fisher
(Opening Remarks)
“Well, disappointed we didn’t win it, but again, pleased with what took place out there. We played quite a few players in the game and we made our substitutions and we ended up with only (WR) Danny (Rodriguez) in the training room, which isn’t a good thing for Danny, but it’s a good thing overall for the club. It’s a classic fourth preseason game. We played a lot of players, saw some good things, had some drops, had some missed opportunities there at the end to win, and had the two penalties that hurt us. But there are great things, too. They were done by young players, but they’re great things to learn from. So overall, disappointed we didn’t find a way to win a preseason game, but I’m also very excited to have it over now as everybody else is and move forward and get ready for the Seahawks. So, I have a difficult day tomorrow and Saturday. That’s always the case. We’ve had discussions over the last few days and this will be our hardest cut down. And that would imply we’re getting better. So, we got to play a lot of players, play some young guys, but for those that didn’t play, didn’t play for probably two different reasons: One, we wanted to give them another week to heal up and two, we didn’t feel like they needed to play. So, I thought overall we got a lot accomplished tonight, but the best thing – the thing I’m most excited about – is our training room’s empty right now.”(On if there are still some roster sports up for grabs)
“Yeah, there are. We’ll have some discussions. It may take until Saturday. We don’t have to officially turn them in until 3 p.m. central time on Saturday. So, we’ll probably make a lot of decisions tomorrow, inform most of the players, probably sort some things out all the way up until Saturday at 3:00.”(On if he will look at the Chiefs game film closely to decide roster spots)
“Well, we’ll look at it as it relates to maybe a couple of players. But we’re not going to grade this tape like we ordinarily do as a staff and in all three phases and those kinds of things. We’re going to get through the hard decisions tomorrow and then take a look at it. But both teams tonight were pretty simple. We stayed basic and I thought it was great. Just let them play. We just let our guys play.”(On if he’s closer to making a decision at center and potentially keeping all three on the roster)
“There’s a possibility because of the position flexibility. Yeah, there’s a chance we keep all three. We’ll make the decision. As soon as we start to practice we can start preparation, which should be Tuesday.”(On RB Isaiah Pead’s play against the Chiefs)
“Each week he’s getting better. He’s just getting better. He’s dropped the brace, which is a huge thing psychologically for him, and each week he’s getting better. Great effort on his behalf to get to this point.”(On S Cody Davis’s play against the Chiefs and him making interceptions often)
“He does. He made a great play today…We’ll really get into detail of it because he’s wired. Yeah, he was mic’d.”(On Daniel Rodriguez leaving the game)
“Well, he didn’t pass the concussion protocol. So, we have to examine him over the next couple of days.”Rams QB Nick Foles
(On how he feels about getting to play tonight)
“I think anytime you get more reps and can go out there with the unit is great, especially because we’re all so young and new in the offense. So it was great to go out there and just get a couple series. First series didn’t end like we wanted to, but we were able to come out there and face a little adversity and move the ball right down the field and get a touchdown.”(On the first team offense moving the ball better these last few games and if he takes a little bit of momentum from that)
“Yeah, absolutely. I think any improvement is a great improvement. I think the big thing was we faced a little adversity early and we didn’t let it affect us. We went out there and we had some great runs and (WR) Tavon (Austin) made a great play going from one side of the field to the other and that’s stuff you have to do to win the game. So we didn’t come out on top tonight, but we stepped in the right direction and I’m excited about what we have.”(On if he had any view of WR Tavon Austin’s play)
“I mean I was right behind it. I didn’t quite know what to do because he’s so fast. I really just really try to stay out of his way and watch him do his thing.”(On how he felt about his preseason overall)
“I felt like I improved each and every game. I think the big thing is just felt comfortable running the offense, being out there playing again. Now it’s getting real. Season’s here. I’m excited. We’ll learn from this film. We’ll look at it, improve from it and move forward and get ready for Seattle.”(On if he’s excited to get more fans in the stands for the game against Seattle)
“I’m excited just to play, get this thing going. Get into a game plan, we get into that routine and then my first big, real game at home so I’m excited to see the fans here cheering us on. We’re going to need them there against Seattle. Be loud and rowdy.”(On if he thinks improvement can be made in practice time before Seattle)
“Yeah, absolutely. Each and every day you can improve. I think the big thing is just continue to get with the guys on routes. The more we can talk about different things, different looks, the better we’re going to be. The communication is something that I”ll continue to stress. The more they get to know me as a quarterback and me know them as receivers, tight ends, running backs – the better we’ll be. O-line is doing a great job up front of really getting the run lanes going and letting our running backs do their thing. So yeah, absolutely. I just think each and every day we just need to improve.”(On if he feels in sync with his top receivers)
“Yeah, I mean, I’ve thrown a lot of balls in my life so I feel really comfortable. We get a lot of work in practice, so it’ll be exciting to go out there and play in a full game and just let it rip.”(On his reunion with Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid)
“Yeah, I was able to see Coach Reid before the game. Gave him a big hug. I love Coach Reid. He’s the one who drafted me in Philadelphia, so really enjoyed playing for him. He’s a great head coach. He’s done a great job there. So a lot of guys on that staff were there my rookie year so it was neat seeing them.”(On how he feels about opening the season here at home)
“I’m excited to open the season here at home. Just to get our fans there to support us and just be loud. We’re going to need them to be loud against Seattle. So I’m really excited about that.”Rams S Cody Davis
(On how good it felt to make that interception)
“It felt great. Just to put it on film. I’ve been making them in practice a little bit so to see it translate into a game feels really good.”(On if he’s aware of how many interceptions he made has in practice)
“No, not quite. Just want to put it on film for the coaches and execute to the best of my ability.”(On what he saw on the play)
“Cover 3, just rolling down and saw a three-step drop and the quarterback kind of turned his shoulder that way and I made the break. Luckily I guessed right.”(On if his eyes got big when the end zone was so close)
“It happened so fast, you go through it so much and it’s just kind of a reaction to take off right when you get the ball and not think too much.”(On if it’s important to make plays towards the end of camp so that people notice him)
“Yeah definitely. You want to improve every play, every year. As time goes on, you want to see that improvement and hopefully I’ve shown that.”WR Tavon Austin
(On if he and QB Nick Foles wanted to get the first-team offense in the end zone)
“Definitely, not just me and Nick; the whole offensive unit. That’s our goal to come and set the tempo and get some points on the board and from there see how the game goes.”(On if he feels ready for the regular-season opener)
“I believe we’re good. We’ve just got to keep on coming in to work, day in and day out. When it’s time for show time, we’ve got to show up.”(On if he has a sense that he’ll have an opportunity to put up bigger numbers in this offense)
“I really don’t get into too much individual stuff, but they will be using me a lot more than in previous years. I’m up for the challenge. Hopefully I can make some plays for us and give us the edge.”Rams DE Chris Long
(On how he feels about the state of the defense)
“I think we’re where we need to be at this point. We’re in that range and this is going to be a big week of preparation for us. These next 10 days are huge for us going into Seattle. We’re going to play them tough and we always do and they always play us tough. It’s going to be a really physical game. It’ll be a lot of fun.”(On if it was nice to see the offense move the ball these last couple of games)
“Yeah, it was good. They look really good in practice. Maybe it was a slow start, but to see some of the success come to fruition was good for (QB) Nick (Foles) and his receivers.”(On S Cody Davis’ interception after having several in practice)
“Yeah he does it a lot in practice. To see it in a game is exciting, the whole sideline erupted. He’s a favorite on the team, so guys were really excited.”(On if it bothers him to not get a preseason win)
“You play to win these games, but there are bigger goals that are being developed and worked towards that are probably more nuance that everybody might not see – players developing, units gelling together. Some of the really tough years where we were 2-14, go back and look at some of those preseason records, they were pretty darn good. Not saying that that’s necessarily good or bad, but I don’t weigh everything on winning and losing, it’s about what we were able to get accomplished.”znModeratorResilient Pead a bright spot for Rams
Jim Thomas
There have been more downs than ups for running back Isaiah Pead in the NFL. Many more.
He suffered a season-ending knee injury last season against Green Bay in the Rams’ second preseason game. In 2013, he served a one-game suspension to open the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
On the verge of this season, Pead has appeared in only 25 regular-season games with one start. But the former Big East offensive player of the year at Cincinnati and second-round draft pick in 2012 hasn’t given up on what to date has been a disappointing pro career.
If nothing else, Pead knocked off some rust in Thursday’s preseason finale against Kansas City. With the Rams resting Benny Cunningham, Pead started against the Chiefs and gained 52 yards on 12 carries — all in the first half of the Chiefs’ 24-17 victory over the Rams at the Edwards Jones Dome.
“Each week he’s getting better,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “He’s dropped the (knee) brace, which is a huge thing psychologically for him. Each week he’s getting better, so it’s great effort on his behalf to get to this point.”
And this just in: With 2015 first-round pick Todd Gurley not expected to play in the Sept. 13 season opener against Seattle, and Tre Mason questionable with a hamstring injury, Pead may very well be the Rams’ No. 2 running back (behind Cunningham) against the two-time defending NFC champions.
With Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon on hand, it was the Chiefs who took the Governor’s Cup back to the western side of the Show-Me State. Another very light crowd watched, with tickets distributed announced at 37,616. There were maybe 25,000 fans in the seats, and many of them were Chiefs fans.
For only the second time since the franchise moved to St. Louis in 1995, the Rams went winless in exhibition play, finishing 0-4.
“Disappointed that we didn’t find a way to win a preseason game,” Fisher said. “But I’m also very excited to have it over now, as everybody else is, and move forward and get ready for the Seahawks.
“And we ended up with only Danny (Rodriguez) in the training room, which is a really good night — not a good thing for Danny but it’s a good thing overall for the club.”
Rodriguez, the wide receiver from Clemson and an Afghanistan war hero, suffered a concussion on a kickoff return late in the second quarter.
Back to Pead, he also got in the end zone Thursday with a rushing touchdown, something he did 27 times in college for the Bearcats. However, it wasn’t all peaches and cream for him against the Chiefs. On his last carries of the half, he had two cracks at a first down on third-and-1 and fourth-and-1, but couldn’t move the sticks.
“It’s always good to get out and contribute,” Pead said. “Definitely feels good to get back in the end zone. Last time I did was against the Chiefs in the preseason a couple of years ago.”
On a night when the Rams rested 10 of the 22 expected starters on offense and defense, quarterback Nick Foles played two series, backup safety Cody Davis returned an interception for a touchdown, backup linebacker Bryce Hager recovered his second fumble of the preseason, and Greg Zuerlein drilled a 57-yard field goal.
“I feel good about it,” Foles said of the Rams’ offense. “We still need to continue to improve and progress, which we will because we have the guys here, we have the coaches … we come to work every day to get better. I feel good about where we’re at and I’m excited about where we’ll go.”
As is frequently the case in preseason finales, Thursday’s Bubble Bowl was an entertaining if not crisply-executed affair, filled with intense play by dozens of players on both teams fighting for a roster spot.
Second-year Rams safety Maurice Alexander, out of Eureka High, probably ensured his roster spot for 2015 with an active second half that included hard hits and pass breakups. Former minor leaguer Bradley Marquez may have shown enough at wide receiver and on special teams to at least earn a practice squad spot.
Even after the game, Fisher said there were a few undecided roster spots in terms of the 53-man roster the Rams will take into the regular season. He said the coaches won’t grade this game film Friday; instead they will look at it with an eye only in evaluating a few bubble players. The final roster cuts must be made by Saturday afternoon.
Kansas City took the early lead when Daniel Sorenson intercepted a well-thrown Foles pass that bounced off the hands of tight end Jared Cook on the Rams’ first series. He returned it 26 yards to the St. Louis 8, and two running plays later, the Chiefs were on the scoreboard thanks to a one-yard run by Spencer Ware.
The Rams tied things up on Pead’s one-yard TD run, capping a 73-yard drive that included a 43-yard reverse-field run by Tavon Austin that was aided by a Pead block.
Davis’ “pick 6” on a pass by former Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel made it 14-7 Rams and there were still four minutes left in the opening quarter.
“We like the turnovers,” Fisher said. “We got a defensive score finally, which is good, I thought Nick put together a second drive, which is good. We got Tavon, who made the big play. … That’s what he’s here for.”
Even with those bright spots, the Chiefs scored 17 of the game’s final 20 points for the victory. Kansas City tied the score on a 15-yard TD pass from Daniel to Chris Conley, with Lamarcus Joyner getting beaten on the play.
After a Cairo Santos field goal gave the Chiefs a 17-14 halftime lead, the visitors took at 24-17 lead midway through the third quarter on a Darrin Reaves touchdown reception. He scored despite absorbing a big hit from Hager near the goal line.
Once Foles departed for the Rams, No. 2 QB Case Keenum got one series, as did Austin Davis. Davis was in for eight plays, and they were all handoffs. If Davis survives the final roster cuts over the weekend, it will be a major upset. Rookie Sean Mannion then took over for the rest of the game. Mannion struggled mightily, hitting only one of his first six passes and finishing 11 of 24 for just 107 yards.
znModeratorRams notes: Davis’ ‘pick 6’ is a highlight
Jim Thomas
For third-year safety Cody Davis, interceptions on the practice field have become a common occurrence this summer in training camp. On Thursday against Kansas City, the Rams’ third-year safety from Texas Tech got one in a game, and he did more than catch the ball — he took it to the house.
Davis picked off a pass thrown by former University of Missouri star Chase Daniel late in the first quarter and raced down the sideline for a 24-yard touchdown. It was his first NFL touchdown, be it preseason or regular season, and gave the Rams a 14-7 lead with four minutes left in the opening quarter.
As fate, would have it, Davis was “miked up” for the game, so his reaction to his big play should be available soon on social media and the highlight shows.
As Davis said, look for “probably a bunch of yelling, everybody slapping my helmet.”
He added, “It’s one of those plays where you’re just reacting, not much thinking. It’s kind of a blur now but it was fun when it happened.”
In the locker room after the game, fellow safety T.J. McDonald referred to Davis as White Lightning. “He’s got a 41 ½-inch vertical and runs a 4.3,” volunteered McDonald, doing his best Mel Kiper.
“It was hand-timed,” Davis clarified, “So you can add whatever you want on that. But it was a 4.37 I think at a regional combine.”
Davis last had a “pick 6” in college, returning an interception 88 yards for a touchdown as a senior against Texas State.
Davis appeared to be a pretty safe bet for a roster spot before Thursday’s contest, but if any doubt remained, his pick 6 probably clinched it. Signed as an undrafted rookie in 2013, Davis spent the first four games of his rookie season on the practice squad before getting promoted to the active roster.
Last year, he developed into one of the Rams’ better special teams performers, recording 10 tackles covering punts and kickoffs.
SITTING IT OUT
As is normally the case in preseason finales, a scorecard was needed to keep track of who wasn’t playing Thursday in the Governor’s Cup game at the Edward Jones Dome.
Sitting out for the Rams were running backs Tre Mason, Todd Gurley, and Benny Cunningham; cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson and Brandon McGee; linebackers Daren Bates and Jo-Lonn Dunbar; offensive linemen Rodger Saffold and Andrew Donnal; and defensive linemen Michael Brockers, Aaron Donald, Robert Quinn, and Nick Fairley.
In the case of Cunningham, Johnson, Donald and Quinn, there were no injuries involved. They were just put on ice Thursday in anticipation of the Rams’ Sept. 13 opener against Seattle.
Among those sitting for the Chiefs were quarterback Alex Smith, running back Jamaal Charles, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (of Missouri), center Mitch Morse (of Missouri), and linebackers Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson, and Justin Houston.
SIGN OF THE TIMES
Spotted for the first time on a column of the Edward Jones Dome at one of the main entrances to the stadium was a sign regarding the “Banner & Sign Policy” for the building.
It read in part: “management reserves the right to prohibit any signs, banners, or similar items (including hand held signs) due to space availability, banner size, materials, interference with other fans, or message content.”
It went on to read that signs “must be football-related and be in good taste.”
Some Rams fans were upset during a Rams Park training camp practice that was televised live by the NFL Network last month because their signs were prohibited. Earlier in camp, some anti-Kroenke signs and keep the Rams in St. Louis signs were spotted at practice.
Some fans were further incensed later in camp when all manner of signs and banners were allowed by LA Rams fans attending the team’s practices against Dallas in Oxnard, Calif.
A Rams official later said the sign-policy banners were posted late last season in response to the Ferguson protests.
LONGTIME RIVALS
Not only have Jeff Fisher and Kansas City coaching counterpart Andy Reid coached against each other for years in the NFL, they squared off on the gridiron as high school players in the Los Angeles area.
Fisher reminded everyone of that fact when asked earlier in the week how long he’s known Reid.
“Played against him in high school. Is that long enough?” Fisher quipped.
Reid, an LA native, played for John Marshall High.
“He played offensive line,” Fisher recalled.
Fisher, meanwhile, was an all-American wide receiver at Taft High in Woodland Hills. “You don’t know who you’re playing against in high school,” Fisher said. “But yeah, we went back and we were in basically the same couple of conferences or divisions.”
PRESEASONS PAST
Thursday’s loss gave the Rams an 0-4 record this preseason, marking only the second time in the 21 seasons of “St. Louis” Rams football that the team went winless in the preseason.
It happened before in 2002, with the Rams still suffering hangover effects from their Super Bowl upset loss to New England. Besides going 0-for-the-preseason, Mike Martz’s team started the regular season 0-5 that year.
The Rams have finished exhibition play with a winning record only six times since the franchise moved to St. Louis in 1995. Three of those six successful preseasons came during former coach Steve Spagnuolo’s tenure.
Spagnuolo was Mr. August, going 10-2 in his three preseasons as Rams head coach. That matched his victory total in three regular seasons, in which he went 10-38
September 4, 2015 at 1:13 am in reply to: post-KC game reactions …. Rams and Saints only 0-4 teams in pre-season #29806znModeratorMissed the game tonight due to work. I plan to watch it over the next couple days. Not sure this game mattered for anything beyond settling some final roster spots.
Looks like Hager and Lynch had good games, eh?
One will probably make it and one to the PS.
There are a lot of interesting minor performances in the game. A lot to watch and notice. Including surprises like Pead. Britt and Cook, however, deserve to be dunce-capped and made to sit in the corner.
September 4, 2015 at 1:04 am in reply to: post-KC game reactions …. Rams and Saints only 0-4 teams in pre-season #29803znModeratorYou just started the official game reactions thread.
Just so you know, that comes with certain obligations.
You have to keep it watered. And, take it for walks. And, take all the stuff back to the rental place afterwards.
Btw the clown phoned and said something about a “relapse” but that he would “show up eventually.” He will take a check but not a credit card.
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znModeratorFive Takeaways: Chiefs at Rams (Preseason)
Myles Simmons
The Rams and Chiefs finished off their preseason on Thursday night, with Kansas City posting a 24-17 victory to claim the Governor’s Cup. Here are five takeaways from the action.
1) Tavon Austin is (still) really fast
The Rams got Austin involved early on their second drive and it paid off well. The West Virginia product caught two screens in a row on the outside, but it was the latter that really made the difference.
Austin caught the pass on the left side of the formation, and then completely reversed field to run down the right sideline for a 43-yard gain. It was a classic display of what makes Austin such a weapon. His shiftiness and speed means he can take a play that may look like it’s going nowhere, and transform it into a big gain.
Austin said at halftime it felt good to finish off the preseason in that fashion.
“Coach (Jeff) Fisher said our plays were limited, so I had to go out there and try to make the best of something and give us a spark. I believe that’s what I did,” Austin said. “Hopefully I just keep on doing that the rest of the year.”
2) Pead shows his mettle
Running back Isaiah Pead has had a tough road coming back from tearing his ACL early in the preseason last year. But on Thursday night, he showed he has the chops to play in the league.
After Austin’s 43-yard screen pass placed St. Louis at the visitors’ 36, Pead got to work. The Cincinnati product ran it five straight times, reaching pay dirt for a 1-yard touchdown on the fifth.
“Definitely feels good to get back in the endzone,” Pead said. “Last time I did was against the Chiefs in the preseason a couple of years ago.”
Pead’s best run of the possession came on 2nd-and-7 at the Kansas City 12, when he broke a tackle in the backfield and received a nice block on the left sideline from wideout Brian Quick to spring him for a first down.
Pead finished the night with 12 carries for 52 yards and a touchdown — a good showing by the running back.
“I feel confident in my abilities to help the team on special teams, of course offense, running back,” Pead said.
3) Davis notches a pick six
Known as one of the Rams’ special teams aces, safety Cody Davis has had a nice training camp making many plays on the defensive end. He took that into the game on Thursday by picking off a Chase Daniel pass and returning it to the house.
Davis read the play perfectly, jumped the curl route, and then high-pointed the ball to catch it for the interception. That’s all the safety needed as there was plenty of green in front of him for the 24-yard touchdown.
It’s a nice cap on what’s been a strong preseason for the Texas Tech product.
4) Forcing another turnover
St. Louis wasn’t done creating turnovers after Davis’ interception. Late in the second quarter, undrafted rookie cornerback Montell Garner put a nice form tackle on the Chiefs’ Spencer Ware and popped the ball out.
Linebacker Bryce Hager was right there to pick it up, and the Rams came away with an extra possession.
Both Garner’s play and Davis’ interception illustrate how the Rams can utilize turnovers to their advantage. Really, that’s a staple of what coordinator Gregg Williams likes to do with the defensive unit. Look for more of that as the season begins on Sept. 13.
5) Zuerlein from long range
We all know by now that kicker Greg Zuerlein can attempt a field goal from a long way and the ball will still have a good chance to get past the uprights.
Well Zuerlein showed his leg power once again tonight, blasting a 57 yarder right down Broadway between the yellow posts, with plenty of room to spare.
While there was never any question about the kicker heading into the 2015 season, it’s still encouraging to see him hit from such long range — even if it was in the fourth preseason game.
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